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  1. #1
    Senior Member hikerman2000's Avatar
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    Sewing seams on cat-cut tarp edges?

    I'm a novice at using the sewing machine, but I'm digging it! Loads of fun - creativity is just now settling in...

    My question to those who are seasoned vets at injecting is how in the world do you sew rolled seams or attach grosgrain ribbon to cat-cut tarp edges? The curvature seems (pun intended) like it would be difficult and also would bunch it together as you move along. I will definitely make a straight-cut rectangular tarp first, but wanna eventually do cat cuts.

    Fyi, I have a presser foot on my Singer 247 and it seems to do well pulling through fabric. Is there another attachment that is generally preferred and/or does plain ol' experience give you the ability to slowly turn manually while using pins/binder clips to keep the seam parallel?

    You guys rock

  2. #2
    Senior Member Resqsarge03's Avatar
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    Im curious about this too. Im about to start a cat cut tarp.

  3. #3
    Senior Member lukesteg's Avatar
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    Being that the cat-cut is such a slow even curve ( depending on your cutting ability) its actually easier than you think to put a hem on it. Take your time and set a wider stitch for the exterior trim.
    Ultralite Gear and Apparel

    Lukesultralite.com

  4. #4
    Senior Member hikerman2000's Avatar
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    I figured a much... But must wasn't sure if I missed the boat on some technical thing-uh-mick-bobber

  5. #5
    Senior Member Resqsarge03's Avatar
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    Luke- do you mean a longer stitch on the line of stitching that is closest to the edge? Does this mean that you use a normal length stitch for the inner, or second, line of stitching on that hem?
    I am not trying to be dense but I want to be sure I understand. :-)
    Thanks for your post

  6. #6
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    Practice on some long scraps, if you can.
    Keep the hems small (1/4-3/8ths wide), work in short (2-3 inch) sections, stopping often to fold and follow the curve. You basically stair step your way around with the hem. Due to the curve, it is near impossible to get a smooth, traditional looking hem. It will be a little jagged looking. Because of this jagged look, many choose to cover the hem with grosgrain.

    Grosgrain comes in different thicknesses and material design. Some work better than others for bending. Some GG comes prefolded.

    There are attachment feet available, but those come with thier own learning curve.
    Edgestitch foot
    Bias binder foot
    Good demo, bad music.
    Bias tape (as demo'd in this vid) isnt gg, but the principle is the same. The foot holds the gg in check as you sew.

    Other attachments bolt on-
    sail-rite

  7. #7
    Senior Member doogie's Avatar
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    The smaller your seam the less the difference between the outer edge and your stitch line. Try to keep it small and you shouldn't have any issues. I just worked along (didn't pin anything) and it was fine. I didn't attach any edging, just did a rolled hem. Here are the few photos I took. http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...0&postcount=43

  8. #8
    Senior Member MAD777's Avatar
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    Number 1 key is to make the hem as small as possible. The larger the hem, the more the problem is magnified.

    Number 2 is to make sure that you fold each segment perpendicular to the edge within that segment. Since you are sewing on a curve, you must constantly make adjustments for this.

    Number 3 is to sew no more then 2" segments at a time.

    Number 4 is to use a bit shorter stitch than usual. I normally use the maximum length on my cheap machine, so I shorten it a couple of notches.

    Lastly, don't sweat a minor amount of bunching. It's inevitable.
    Last edited by MAD777; 08-10-2012 at 19:46.
    Mike
    "Life is a Project!"

  9. #9
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Short stitches around curves is really helpful. Go slow and you'll do fine
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
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  10. #10
    Senior Member hikerman2000's Avatar
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    Thx for the above everyone! I'll let you know tomorrow how practice session goes

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